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One of our signature events, Debut of Rosé, is non-doubt a fan favorite. What better way to welcome the Spring season than with the debut of 2015 Rosés? The Debut will have more than 100 Rosé varietals to try, and takes place on Wednesday night, making it the perfect kick-off to Taste of Vail weekend! Avon Liquor Buyer Cary Hogan is no stranger to Taste of Vail, or the Debut of Rosé, having attended and volunteered at the event since its inception. We talked to Cary about the world of Rosé and what keeps her coming back to the event year after year. Hi Cary, thanks for taking the time to chat with us about all things Rosé! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself before we dive in? I am a Colorado native and have lived in the mountains most of my life, raising 2 wonderful boys who have followed me into the wine world. I have been involved in the wine, liquor and beer industry for over 30 years. I became passionate about wine, not just for the unbelievable versatility the world offers, but I also love the history, culture, geography and geology that is involved in the world… View Article

As if the promise of a spring food and wine festival set in the mountains wasn’t enough to get us excited, the chance to sample and savor our way through the best of Vail Valley’s restaurants is even better. With more than 20 restaurants confirmed for Taste of Vail 2016, it’s time to start jogging a little more and swapping in some quinoa at dinnertime to help us make up for the extra calories we’ll happily consume March 30th – April 3rd. Everyone’s favorite restaurants will be making an appearance at Taste of Vail 2016, including Flame Restaurant at Four Seasons Vail, where the steaks are always elevated. High-class, yet laid back Colorado fare will be found at Mountain Standard, Terra Bistro, Boxcar and the Fitz Bar & Restaurants’ spots. The always-impeccable Sweet Basil and the French-flared La Tour will no doubt have busy tables at the Grand Tasting. Matsuhisa, from the Nobu family, lives up to its fame and will have a sushi grade dish sure to wow guests. Upscale Mexican at Maya Modern Mexican Kitchen from globally renowned chef Richard Sandoval is bringing its Latin flavor to events. On-mountain favorites Bistro Fourteen, Wildwood Smokehouse, Two Elk and The… View Article

Taste of Vail’s Mountain Top Tasting, with its sea of white tents spread before you, can be a bit overwhelming if you haven’t been before. While some would say the best advice is to just jump right in and start sampling from the more than 50 wineries on site, other longtime attendees are a bit more strategic about the experience, not wanting to miss out on all the fun bites and drinks from their favorite local restaurants and wineries. From pork sliders and tacos overflowing with just-grilled meats and fresh toppings, to creamy corn and crab chowder, followed by Guinness s’mores, cupcakes blanketed in frosting, fresh strawberries and drizzled chocolate, no matter what the menu holds, it’s always guaranteed to be tasty. We talked with a few Taste of Vail veterans to get their advice so that any novice or expert can ensure 2016 is the best Mountain Top Tasting to-date. Come early Mountain Top Tasting Director Chris Benson recommends arriving right when the gates open. The event is only two-and-a-half hours long and Benson recommends starting with the food first. “There are usually only 15 or so restaurants attending, so I would try to get food first,” he said…. View Article

Taste of Vail dives deep into the world of food and wine, with an array of seminars sure to pique anyone’s interests. From March 30th – April 3rd, Taste of Vail will host unique seminars ranging in subjects from cigars, to wines, to olive oil. You’ll walk out of each far more educated than you were before. Six Seminars are currently available for purchase on the website: Cigar and Spirits Sampling Thursday, March 31 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m Location: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Pool Cost: $60 Participants have an opportunity to sample handcrafted cigars with a variety of tobacco blends. What Puts the Pop inside of Sparkling Wine? Friday, April 1 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Location: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail Cost: $55 Sparkling wine is having its moment in the sun. Gone are the days when bottles of bubbly were saved for special occasions. Sparkling wines’ light and cleansing palates make them the perfect accompaniment to a variety of dishes. “What Puts the Pop” educates participants on where the name “champagne” comes from, what is it with the bubbles and more. A must for anyone who loves to make toasts! Wake up… View Article

Unlike many industry wine events, Taste of Vail is unique in that the actual owner or winemaker is likely to be the smiling person pouring you a glass of wine at many of the booths, making the event feel more personal and surely making it more memorable. Here are three don’t-miss wineries confirmed for the 2016 Taste of Vail. ZD Wines: This family-owned and operated Napa Valley winery has been run by three generations of the deLeuze family. Two aerospace engineers —Norman deLeuze and Gino Zepponi — started the winery in 1969. It was the early pioneer days of the California wine industry and the men wanted to produce world-class chardonnay and pinot noir reminiscent of France’s renowned Burgundy wines. ZD stands for the initials of the founding partners’ last names as well as Zero Defects, an acronym for the quality control program during the space race that Norman and Gino were a part of while at AeroJet in Sacramento. This winery has a long history with the Taste of Vail, with three generations of the family having attended TOV. This year is no different as Associate winemaker Brandon deLeuze will attend. St. Innocent Winery: Mark Vlossak, who remains the winemaker… View Article

With the holidays right around the corner and just a little over a month left in our Early Bird Special, now is the perfect time to purchase Taste of Vail tickets for your friends and loved ones! Rated among the Nation’s top food and wine festivals by Forbes.com, USA Today, and the Travel Channel, the Taste of Vail is heaven for foodies, wine lovers, and Vail lifestyle enthusiasts alike. Vail’s finest chefs and restauranteurs are showcased alongside winemakers from over 50 of the country’s top wineries against the backdrop of the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Grab your friends and family, and join us for a variety of food and wine tastings and seminars! Come for just one or two events, or get the Signature Pass and enjoy a six days of delicious cuisine and fine beverages. We can’t wait to see you there!

Last week, the 25th Anniversary Taste of Vail poster was nominated for the Art Directors’ Club of Denver’s 2015 Annual Show for Best Illustration! We are thrilled that the ADCD recognized the various digital techniques used to create an abstract illustration depicting iconic Vail imagery, and elements of food and wine. The poster blends the nature-filled Rocky Mountain landscape with the epicurean Vail lifestyle. And, if you look closely, you can find several event-related symbols hidden within the design! These iconic Taste of Vail posters are still available for purchase on our website here. Also on sale are tickets to the 2016 Taste of Vail! Experience Vail’s most iconic food and wine event from March 30th to April 2nd! You can choose to purchase tickets to any single event, or purchase our Signature Pass and attend them all. Tickets are available now at last year’s prices. Get your tickets before the prices go up on January 1st! What makes the Taste of Vail so unique is that you have the chance to meet and speak with the vineyard owners and winemakers themselves, rather than just distributers. Wineries are already starting to sign up for the 2016 event! Click here to find out who’s going to be… View Article

Tasked with the challenge to create an iconic piece of art for Taste of Vail’s 25th anniversary April 8-11, local ad firm and event sponsor Avid Design put their best talent to the test. The selected design, created by Art Director Coni Terrado, was considered a labor of love given her brief hiatus and recent return to Vail. Terrado uses various digital techniques to create an abstract work of art, which depicts several iconic locations found in Vail Village and on Vail Mountain. Further detail connects the location to Taste of Vail with a glass of wine complimented by a bottle all set in the nature-filled landscape that is Vail. “To me, Taste of Vail is as iconic as the Covered Bridge, the Clock Tower, and the Back Bowls of Vail,” said Terrado. “It is part of what makes Vail so unique and special.” Terrado has spent the last five years living in two different countries, each six months at a time. After completing her graphic design degree in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she was ready to commit to Vail full-time. “Vail has a very special place in my heart, and I’m thrilled to be back,” said Terrado. “I love the… View Article

Calling all volunteers! The Taste of Vail is looking for a number of enthusiastic volunteers to make its 25th anniversary food and wine festival the best yet. Taste of Vail is one of the hottest tickets every spring and volunteering is a great way to give back to the community while earning a free pass to an event or credit for your favorite non-profit organization. Volunteers must work a minimum of six or seven hours to receive a complimentary pass to either the American Lamb Cookoff & Apres Ski Tasting or the Mountain Top Picnic. Those required to volunteer a certain number of hours for various non-profit organizations, also can receive a credit for their time supporting Taste of Vail. Those selected to be volunteers for the event must attend a mandatory one-hour training session. Volunteers also may be required to attend meetings that are specific to their committee prior to the event. All volunteers must be 21 years of age or older and have a valid e-mail address to submit an application. Taste of Vail gets a number of applicants each year so volunteers will be judged on a number of criteria including if they’ve volunteered in the past,… View Article

Since its inception in 1990, Taste of Vail has prided itself not only in celebrating the Vail lifestyle, but also the passion and commitment behind its attending wineries. This is just one reason why dozens of winemakers and owners visit Vail every spring to showcase their products. More than 50 wineries are expected to attend the 25th anniversary of Taste of Vail presented by Audi; a number of which are celebrating milestone anniversaries. Klinker Brick Winery is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. About the Founders: Steve and Lori represent the fifth generation of their family to grow grapes in Lodi. They started Klinker Brick Winery and produced their first vintage of old vine zinfandel in 2000. About the Winery: Klinker Bricks are highly prized bricks that grace many of the historical buildings in Lodi, including their home. Chosen by Craftsmen architects in the 1920’s for their distinctive qualities, including unique shapes and dark, rich color, they are denser and heavier in weight than regular bricks. Rich, deep color, enormous density, unique and distinctive features are the same qualities found in Klinker Brick’s Old Vine Zinfandel and Farrah Syrah. About the Wine: 2012 Klinker Brick Farrah Syrah Received 91 points and… View Article